Washington Kastles

Venue

The Kastles will play the 2017 season indoors at George Washington University's Charles E. Smith Center at 22nd and G Streets NW. The Kastles also played the 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons at the same venue. The venue hosted two matches that set the record for attendance at a Kastles match at 3,275 in 2014. In 2015 a new attendance record was set at over 4,200 when an additional seating section was offered for sale to a sold out match. That additional seating section sold out in less than one day.

The team played its first three seasons in a temporary stadium constructed each summer on the site of the former Washington Convention Center. The Kastles played the next three seasons at Kastles Stadium at The Wharf, a 2,600-seat facility erected in 2011 on the Southwest Waterfront. That facility was torn down for the city's waterfront development project.

History

The Kastles began World TeamTennis play as an expansion franchise in 2008 and finished 6–8 in their inaugural season. They won their first King Trophy (named after former world No. 1 player and league co-owner Billie Jean King) in 2009 despite losing their first four matches and finishing just 7–7 during the regular season. The Kastles failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2010 but then went undefeated in both the 2011 and 2012 seasons, winning all 14 regular-season matches, the Eastern Conference championship and the WTT championship.

In 2011, the Kastles went undefeated, the first perfect season for a World Team Tennis team and only the second team, after the 1994 Newport Beach Dukes, to win all of its regular-season matches. (The Newport Beach Dukes lost in the playoffs). It was the first time a Washington professional sports team posted an undefeated regular season and also won its league championship.

In 2012, the Kastles finished 16–0 again, becoming the first U.S. professional sports team to complete back-to-back perfect seasons.

The Kastles won their 2013 season opener against the New York Sportimes, 23–15, notching their 33rd consecutive victory and equaling the winning streak of the NBA's 1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers. In their next match, they beat the Boston Lobsters, 25–12, a 34th victory that set the U.S. record for a winning streak by a major professional sports team.

On July 10, 2013, the Kastles had their winning streak snapped by the Texas Wild in Las Colinas, Texas. The next night at home, the Kastles fell to the Springfield Lasers. Martina Hingis was not with the team for the back-to-back losses due to her induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The Kastles won the remaining 10 matches of the regular season and ended up with the best record in the WTT at 12–2. The Kastles beat the Boston Lobsters in the Eastern Conference Championship match on July 25 by a score of 25–12. The Kastles repeated that score of 25–12 in a rain-delayed WTT Championship match against the Springfield Lasers to win their third consecutive WTT Championship and post a final season record of 14–2.

The Kastles continued their winning ways in 2014. Even though the Kastles lost four regular season matches (a home record of 6–1), they posted the best record in the Eastern Conference and hosted the Philadelphia Freedoms in the Eastern Conference Championship match. The Kastles won their 5th Eastern Conference Championship by a score of 21–16.

The Kastles then traveled to Springfield, Missouri, to face the Springfield Lasers in the Mylan WTT Championship Match on July 27, 2014. Since the Kastles had a better regular-season record, they were considered the home team. The Kastles swept all five events and won their fourth consecutive WTT Championship by a score of 25–13. Bobby Reynolds won his Men's Singles event and the Men's Doubles event, his last match as a Washington Kastle. The only other team in the 39-year history of World Team Tennis that won four championships in a row are the Sacramento Capitals. With their WTT Championship in 2015, the Kastles stand alone with five consecutive WTT titles.

The Kastles have missed the playoffs and failed to win the Eastern Conference Championship and WTT Championship only three times in the existence of the franchise (2008, 2010 and 2016).

In 2015, the Kastles got off to a slow start and after the first seven matches of the season the team's record was 4–3. In typical Kastles style, the team then reeled off 5 wins in a row and won 6 out of the 7 final matches of the regular season to end up with a record of 10–4, the best record in the WTT's Eastern Conference.

On July 30, 2015, the Kastles hosted the Philadelphia Freedoms at home in the Eastern Conference Championship by a score of 25–9.

On Sunday, August 2, 2015 the Kastles hosted the Austin Aces in the WTT Finals and defeated the Aces 24–18 in extended play. The Kastles extended their consecutive WTT Championship Title streak to 5 in a row and their 6th overall title.

The 2016 Rio Summer Olympics took place during the 2016 World Team Tennis season. Many of the teams had many players attend the Olympics. The Kastles were no exception and had Leander Paes, Anastasia Rodionova, Martina Hingis and Venus Williams attending the Olympics. The Kastles missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010 and finished third in the league with a record of 7-5 (only 12 matches were played in 2016).

On February 16, 2017 the Mylan WTT Marque Draft was held. The Kastles drafted Martina Hingis, Venus Williams and Bob and Mike Bryan (all were protected status by the Kastles).

On March 13, 2017 it was announced that Mark Ein and Fred Luddy (owner of the San Diego Aviators) had purchased Billie Jean King's majority ownership of the WTT. King will retain a minority stake in WTT and continue as majority owner of the Philadelphia Freedoms franchise. Mark Ein will become Charman of World Team Tennis andIlana Kloss will remain as CEO and Commissioner through 2017.

On March 14, 2017 the WTT Roster Draft was held. Washington selected Sam Querrey, Bruno Soares, Madison Brengle and Anastasia Rodionova.

Justin Gimelstob controversy

On June 25, 2008, Kastles player Justin Gimelstob was on the Washington, D.C., morning radio show "The Sports Junkies", talking about his tennis career, his interactions with other tennis pros, his dalliances with such female players as Martina Hingis, and a variety of other topics. During the interview, Gimelstob, a regular guest on the show, said that when he faced Anna Kournikova (who played for the St. Louis Aces) the following month match in Washington: "I’m going to serve it right at the body, about 128, right into her midriff. If she's not crying by the time she comes off court then I did not do my job." Asked if that meant he hated the Russian, with whom he trained as a youth, he replied: "Hate is a very strong word. I just despise her to the maximum level just below hate." He added that he would not like to sleep with Kournikova, "because she's such a douche." Instead, "I wouldn't mind having my younger brother, who's a kind of a stud, nail her and then reap the benefits of that."

Gimelstob subsequently lost his job as a commentator on the Tennis Channel.

Kournikova originally had planned to pull herself from the event but decided to play. In the mixed doubles portion of the match, Mashona Washington and Gimelstob defeated Kournikova and Travis Rettenmaier. 5–2 (though Gimelstob did not start the set. He came in for Scott Oudsema at 2–0).

Head coach

Thomas Blake was named head coach of the Washington Kastles in June 2008. Blake became a professional tennis player in 1996 and most notably partnered with his brother, James Blake, to play doubles in the US Open in 1996 and 2002. In 2005, Blake retired from professional singles play.

Murphy Jensen was named the Kastles' head coach at the start of the 2009 season. Jensen and his brother, Luke won the French Open doubles championship in 1993 and hosts a show on the Tennis Channel. After the Kastles finished undefeated in 2011 and 2012, Jensen was named the league's Coach of the Year. Jensen was also named the league's Coach of the Year in 2013.

Roster – 2017 Team Roster

Murphy Jensen, Head Coach, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Coach of the Year

Martina Hingis, 2012 Female MVP (with New York Sportimes), 2013 Female MVP (Roster Player)

Sam Querrey (Roster Player)

Madison Brengle (Roster Player)

Bob and Mike Bryan (Marquee Players)

Anastasia Rodionova, 2015 Female co-MVP

Bruno Soares (Roster Player)

Former Kastles

Kevin Anderson, 2013–2014 (Wild Card)

Thomas Blake, 2008 (Coach)

Victoria Azarenka, 2010 (Wild Card)

Lester Cook, 2009 (Substitute)

Mardy Fish, 2016 (Roster Player)

Jarmila Gajdošová 2014 (Substitute)

Edina Gallovits-Hall, 2012 (Substitute)

Justin Gimelstob, 2008 (Roster Player)

Robby Ginepri, 2008 (Substitute)

Sam Groth, 2016 Substitute)

Angela Haynes, 2010 (Roster Player)

Treat Huey, 2012 (Substitute)

Sacha Jones, 2008 (Roster Player)

Kevin Kim, 2008 (Substitute)

Raquel Kops-Jones, 2012–13 (Wild Card/Substitute)

Denis Kudla, 2016 (Roster Player)

Alla Kudryavtseva, 2013 (Substitute)

Nick Kyrgios, 2016 (Substitute)

Lindsey Nelson, 2009 (Substitute)

Frederik Nielsen, 2013 (Substitute)

Scott Oudsema, 2008–09 (Roster Player)

Leander Paes, 2009-2016 (2009 Male MVP, 2011 Male MVP, 2015 Finals MVP)

Nadia Petrova, 2009 (Wild Card)

Tripp Phillips, 2008 (Substitute)

Olga Puchkova, 2009 (Roster Player)

Rajeev Ram, 2013, 2015 (Substitute)

Bobby Reynolds, 2010–2014 (2010 Male Rookie of the Year) (2012 Male MVP) (2013 Finals MVP) (Roster Player)

Arina Rodionova, 2011–12 (Roster Player)

Shelby Rogers, 2014 (Substitute)

Vince Spadea, 2008 (Substitute)

Sloane Stephens 2014 (Wild Card)

Rennae Stubbs, 2009–11 (Roster Player)

Mashona Washington, 2008 (Roster Player)

Venus Williams, 2012 Finals MVP (Marquee Player 2010–2012, 2014)

Serena Williams, (Marquee Player 2008–2009, 2011)

2008 season

Record: 6–8 (Inaugural Season)

July 4: @ Philadelphia Freedoms: 23–19 win (1–0)

July 5: @ Delaware Smash: 21–19 win (2–0)

July 8: vs. Boston Lobsters (WAS: Serena Williams): 19–22 loss (2–1)

July 9: @ New York Buzz (WAS: Serena Williams): 21–22 loss (2–2)

July 10: @ New York Sportimes (WAS: Serena Williams): 20–21 loss (2–3)

July 11: vs. New York Buzz: 22–21 win (3–3)

July 13: @ Newport Beach Breakers (WAS: Serena Williams): 18–16 win (4–3)

July 15: vs. New York Sportimes (NYS: John McEnroe): 18–17 win (5–3)

July 17: vs. Sacramento Capitals: 15–20 loss (5–4)

July 18: @ Boston Lobsters: 14–23 loss (5–5)

July 19: @ Kansas City Explorers (KCS: Bob & Mike Bryan): 13–24 loss (5–6)

July 20: vs. Philadelphia Freedoms: 19–23 loss (5–7)

July 22: vs. Delaware Smash: 16–20 loss (5–8)

July 23: vs. St. Louis Aces (STL: Anna Kournikova): 22–17 win (6–8)

2009 season

Record: 7–7 (Eastern Conference Second Seed, World TeamTennis Champions)

July 2: @ Newport Beach Breakers: 20–21 loss (0–1)

July 3: @ Sacramento Capitals: 18–22 loss (0–2)

July 7: vs. Philadelphia Freedoms (PHL: Venus Williams): 16–23 loss (0–3)

July 8: vs. St. Louis Aces (STL: Anna Kournikova Did Not Play): 15–20 loss (0–4)

July 9: @ Boston Lobsters (WAS: Serena Williams): 24–17 win (1–4)

July 10: @ New York Sportimes (WAS: Serena Williams): 25–13 win (2–4)

July 12: vs. New York Buzz: 19–15 win (3–4)

July 13: @ Philadelphia Freedoms (WAS: Serena Williams): 19–18 win (Super Tiebreak) (4–4)

July 14: vs. Newport Beach Breakers (WAS: Serena Williams): 22–12 win (5–4)

July 16: vs. New York Sportimes (NYS: John McEnroe): 19–20 loss (Super Tiebreak) (5–5)

July 18: @ Kansas City Explorers (KCS: Bob & Mike Bryan): 17–24 loss (5–6)

July 20: @ Springfield Lasers: 16–24 loss (5–7)

July 21: vs. New York Buzz: 23–12 win (6–7)

July 22: vs. Springfield Lasers: 21–14 win (7–7)

Eastern Conference Championship (Kastles Stadium, City Center, Washington, D.C.)

July 24: vs. New York Sportimes: 22–19 win (8–7)

World TeamTennis Championship (Kastles Stadium, City Center, Washington, D.C.)

July 26: vs. Springfield Lasers: 23–20 win (9–7)

2010 season

Record: 8–6

July 5: @ New York Sportimes: 20–21 loss (0–1)

July 6: vs. Philadelphia Freedoms: 21–15 win (1–1)

July 7: vs. New York Buzz (WAS: Venus Williams, NYB: Martina Hingis): 25–15 win (2–1)

July 8: @ Philadelphia Freedoms (WAS: Venus Williams): 21–20 win (3–1)

July 9: @ New York Buzz (NYB: Martina Hingis): 20–12 win (4–1)

July 10: @ St. Louis Aces (WAS: Venus Williams, SLA: Lindsay Davenport): 23–16 win (5–1)

July 12: vs. New York Buzz (NYB: Martina Hingis): 21–20 win (6–1)

July 13: @ Philadelphia Freedoms: 18–24 lost (6–2)

July 14: vs. Kansas City Explorers: 22–24 loss (6–3)

July 15: @ New York Sportimes: 18–23 loss (6–4)

July 18: vs. Boston Lobsters: 16–20 loss (6–5)

July 20: vs. New York Sportimes (NYS: John McEnroe): 22–16 win (7–5)

July 21: vs. St. Louis Aces (SLA: Anna Kournikova): 19–17 win (8–5)

July 22: @ Boston Lobsters: 15–24 loss (8–6)

2011 season

Record: 16–0 (World TeamTennis Champions)

July 5: vs. Kansas City Explorers (WAS: Venus Williams): 21–18 win (1–0)

July 6: @ Philadelphia Freedoms (WAS: Venus Williams): 19–18 win (2–0)

July 7: vs. Boston Lobsters (WAS: Serena Williams): 25–10 win (3–0)

July 8: @ Springfield Lasers: 23–20 win (4–0)

July 9: @ Sacramento Capitals (WAS: Serena Williams): 21–16 win (5–0)

July 11: @ Newport Beach Breakers: 21–13 win (6–0)

July 12: vs. New York Sportimes: 20–19 win (Super Tiebreak) (7–0)

July 14: vs. Springfield Lasers: 21–20 win (Last Event Tiebreak) (8–0)

July 15: vs. St. Louis Aces: 21–20 win (Super Tiebreak) (9–0)

July 16: @ Boston Lobsters: 25–18 win (10–0)

July 18: vs. Sacramento Capitals: 25–14 win (11–0)

July 19: @ New York Sportimes (Albany) (WAS: Serena Williams, NYS: Martina Hingis): 21–20 win (Super Tiebreak) (12–0)

July 20: @ New York Sportimes (WAS: Serena Williams, NYS: Martina Hingis): 23–15 win (13–0)

July 21: vs. Philadelphia Freedoms: 25–11 win (14–0)

Eastern Conference Championship (Family Circle Tennis Center, Charleston, South Carolina)

July 22: vs. Boston Lobsters: 23–15 win (15–0)

World TeamTennis Championship (Family Circle Tennis Center, Charleston, South Carolina)

July 24: vs. St. Louis Aces: 23–19 win (16–0)

2012 season

Record: 16–0 (World TeamTennis Champions)

July 9: @ Orange County Breakers (OCB: Lindsay Davenport): 22–18 win (1–0)

July 11: @ Springfield Lasers: 20–18 win (2–0)

July 12: vs. New York Sportimes (NYS: Martina Hingis): 20–18 win (3–0)

July 13: @ Boston Lobsters (BOS: Robby Ginepri): 24–19 win (4–0)

July 15: vs. Philadelphia Freedoms: 22–13 win (5–0)

July 16: vs. Boston Lobsters (WAS: Venus Williams): 20–11 win (6–0)

July 18: vs. Sacramento Capitals (SAC: Sam Querrey): 21–19 (OT) win (7–0)

July 20: vs. Orange County Breakers: 24–13 win (8–0)

July 21: @ New York Sportimes (WAS: Venus Williams, NYS: Martina Hingis): 21–20 (Super Tiebreak 7–0) win (9–0)

July 22: vs. Kansas City Explorers (WAS: Venus Williams): 25–8 win (10–0)

July 24: vs. Philadelphia Freedoms: 21–16 win (11–0)

July 25: @ New York Sportimes (NYS: Martina Hingis, John McEnroe): 21–16 win (12–0)

July 27: @ Kansas City Explorers: 22–17 win (13–0)

July 28: @ Springfield Lasers: 25–14 win (14–0)

Eastern Conference Championship (Family Circle Tennis Center, Charleston, South Carolina)

September 15: New York Sportimes (WAS: Venus Williams): 19–15 win (15–0)

World TeamTennis Championship (Family Circle Tennis Center, Charleston, South Carolina)

September 16: Sacramento Capitals (WAS: Venus Williams, SAC: Kevin Anderson): 20–19 win (16–0)

2013 season

Record: 14–2 (World TeamTennis Champions)

July 8: vs. New York Sportimes: 7:10 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis, Kevin Anderson): 23–15 win (1–0)

July 9: vs. Boston Lobsters: 7:10 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis, Kevin Anderson): 25–12 win (2–0)

July 10: @ Texas Wild: 7:35 p.m. (WAS: Kevin Anderson): 18–23 loss (2–1)

July 11: vs. Springfield Lasers: 7:10 p.m. (SPR: Andy Roddick, WAS: Kevin Anderson): 15–22 loss (2–2)

July 13: @ Sacramento Capitals: 7:35 p.m.: 23–14 win (3–2)

July 15: @ Boston Lobsters: 7 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis, BOS: Mark Philippoussis): 23–18 win (4–2)

July 16: @ Philadelphia Freedoms: 7 p.m. (Martina Hingis): 22–18 win (5–2)

July 17: vs. Springfield Lasers: 7:10 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis): 21–15 win (6–2)

July 19: @ Texas Wild: 7:35 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis): 23–16 win (7–2)

July 20: vs. New York Sportimes: 7 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis): 21–20 win (8–2)

July 21: @ Boston Lobsters: 7 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis): 19–18 win (9–2)

July 22: vs. Philadelphia Freedoms: 7:10 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis): 23–13 win (10–2)

July 23: @ New York Sportimes: 7:30 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis): 23–15 win (11–2)

July 24: vs. Boston Lobsters: 7:10 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis): 25–9 win (12–2)

Eastern Conference Championship (Kastles Stadium at The Wharf, Washington, D.C.)

July 25: Kastles (Home Team based on Record) vs. Boston Lobsters: 7:10 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis): 25–12 win (13–2)

World TeamTennis Championship (Kastles Stadium at The Wharf, Washington, D.C.)

July 28: Kastles (Home Team due to best record in WTT) vs. Springfield Lasers (WAS: Martina Hingis, SPR: Andy Roddick): 25–12 win (14–2)

2014 season

July 7: @ Boston Lobsters: 7 p.m.: 24–16 win (1–0)

July 8: @ Texas Wild: 7:30 p.m.: 24–15 win (2–0)

July 9: vs. Boston Lobsters: 7 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis, Kevin Anderson): 24–8 win (3–0)

July 10: vs. Philadelphia Freedoms: 7 p.m. (WAS Martina Hingis, Kevin Anderson): 24–10 win (4–0)

July 11: @ Austin Aces: 7:30 p.m. (AUS: Andy Roddick, Marion Bartoli, WAS: Martina Hingis): 24–10 win (5–0)

July 13: vs. Philadelphia Freedoms: 7 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis): 23–14 win (6–0)

July 14: vs. San Diego Aviators: 7 p.m. (SD: Daniela Hantuchová, WAS: Martina Hingis): 18–22 loss (6–1)

July 16: vs. Texas Wild: 7 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis, Venus Williams): 23–18 win (7–1)

July 17: @ Philadelphia Freedoms: 7 p.m. (WAS: Venus Williams): 15–22 loss (7–2)

July 18: @ Springfield Lasers: 7 p.m.: 10–24 loss (7–3)

July 19: @ Boston Lobsters: 7 p.m.: 23–19 win (8–3)

July 21: vs. Boston Lobsters: 7 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis): 25–9 win (9–3)

July 22: vs. Springfield Lasers: 7 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis, Sloane Stephens): 23–15 win (10–3)

July 23: @ Philadelphia Freedoms: 7 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis): 20–21 loss (10–4)

Eastern Conference Championship (Kastles Stadium at the Smith Center, Washington, D.C.)

July 24: Kastles (Home team based on Record) vs. Philadelphia Freedoms: 7 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis): 21–16 win (11–4)

World TeamTennis Championship (Mediacom Stadium at Cooper Tennis Complex, Springfield, Missouri)

July 27: Kastles (Home team sets order of play due to better regular season record) vs. Springfield Lasers: 5 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis): 25–13 win (12–4)

2015 season

Sunday, July 12: @ Boston Lobsters: 6 p.m.: 20–17 win (1–0)

Tuesday, July 14: vs. Austin Aces: 7 p.m. (WAS: Venus Williams): 17–22 loss (1–1)

Wednesday, July 15: @ Springfield Lasers: 7 p.m.: 21–16 win (2–1)

Thursday, July 16: vs. San Diego Aviators: 7 p.m.: 18–22 loss (2–2)

Friday, July 17: @ Philadelphia Freedoms: 7 p.m.: 21–20 win (3–2)

Saturday, July 18: vs. Philadelphia Freedoms: 5 p.m.: 23–6 win (4–2)

Monday, July 20: @ Philadelphia Freedoms: 7 p.m. (WAS: Sam Querrey): 16–18 loss (4–3)

Tuesday, July 21: vs. Boston Lobsters: 7 p.m. (WAS: Sam Querrey): 25–13 win (5–3)

Thursday, July 23: @ Boston Lobsters: 7 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis): 25–14 win (6–3)

Friday, July 24: @ Austin Aces: 7 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis): 22–14 win (7–3)

Sunday, July 26: vs. Springfield Lasers: 5 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis, Sam Querrey): (Extended Play) 24–16 win (8–3)

Monday, July 27: vs. California Dream: Time 7 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis, Sam Querrey): 19–17 win 9–3

Tuesday, July 28: @ Austin Aces: 7 p.m. (WAS: Sam Querrey): 16–19 loss (9–4)

Wednesday, July 29: vs. Boston Lobsters: 7 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis, Sam Querrey): 22–19 win (10–4)

Eastern Conference Championship

Thursday, July 30: Kastles (Home Team based on Record) vs. Philadelphia Freedoms: 7:10 p.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis, Sam Querrey): 25–9 win (11–4)

World TeamTennis Championship (Kastles Stadium at the Smith Center, Washington, D.C.)

Sunday, August 2: Kastles (Home Team due to Eastern Conference win) vs. Austin Aces: 11:30 a.m. (WAS: Martina Hingis, Sam Querrey): 24–18 win (12–4)

2016 season

Sunday, July 31: @ New York Empire: 6 p.m.: 22–15 win (1–0)